Celebration of Life Planned for Marilyn Elaine Beer Vollmer in Hometown

AZUSA, CA - A memorial service for Marilyn Elaine Beer Vollmer, who lived in a retirement community in Azusa, will be held at her hometown in Northern California, relatives said.

Vollmer died of heart failure on Feb. 14. She was 83.

Born in Pennsylvania to Mary Weaver Beer and James Beer on Nov. 26, 1932, Marilyn Elaine Beer began her life with her four older brothers, Neil, James, and Daryl. In 1952, Marilyn met and fell in love with Donald William Vollmer of Boonville, Missouri. They married on Dec. 26, 1953, in Boonville and embarked on a 54-year life together. They began raising a family near Kansas City while Donald completed his undergraduate education.

In 1966, Donald's career brought them to Lawrence Livermore National laboratory in Livermore, Calif., where they settled and continued raising their four children: Lelia Vollmer, Jeffrey Vollmer, Christopher Vollmer, and Jean Vollmer. Marilyn also kept busy pursuing her love for sewing, which led her to open Tracy Fabrics in Tracy in the early 1970s.

She later assisted her younger son, Chris, in running Livermore Brake & Chris's Towing before officially retiring.

Marilyn will always be known for her sweet and loving personality, her large heart, quick wit, and humor. Listeners were always drawn into her wise yet funny stories of the past and would always walk away from a visit with her feeling important & loved. She would always put a smile on your face & love in your heart. You couldn't help but want one more big Gramma hug from her!

Later in life, Marilyn enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up (Yolanda Magana, Sabrina Vollmer, Kevin Cruz, Pabel Cruz, and Sam Vollmer).

Marilyn has been blessed with 6 great grandchildren.

She also leaves behind her two surviving brothers, Daryl & James Beer of Sarver, Penn.

After her husband Donald's passing in 2007, Marilyn developed dementia. However, through it all, she kept her sweet, loving demeanor. She received excellent care from her family and devoted caregivers, but unfortunately, succumbed to heart failure on Feb. 14 at Silverado Sierra Vista Memory Care Community in Azusa. The Vollmer family wish to thank all of her care providers who took such great care of her in the final years of her life. You truly are angels here on Earth.

A celebration of Marilyn's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at her son, Chris Vollmer's home: 2998 Jackson Ave. Tracy, CA.

You may call Chris at (925) 413-4952 for further information.

Although we miss her, knowing she is reunited with the love of her life on the most romantic day of the year gives us much comfort.

--Announcement, photo submitted by Yolanda Magana